Drama > Gielgud, John Drama

Because hanging gives an erection…

Advantages: Faithful to the original text, and so much effort was put into the films
Disadvantages: Wished to find more prominent actors in them

Beckett on Film DVD The 4-DVD box set consists of 19 film adaptations of plays by Samuel Beckett. These plays are: Waiting for Godot, Endgame, Happy Days, Act Without Words I, Act Without Words II, Krapp's Last Tape, Rough for Theatre I, Rough for Theatre II, Play, Come and Go, Breath, Not I, That Time, Footfalls, A Piece of Monologue, Rockaby, Ohio Impromptu, Catastrophe, What Where. * To start with, I will not talk about each of these plays ...
...Exempt Studio: Tyrone Productions DVD Release Date: 23 May 2005 Run Time: 647 minutes For more information about each of the plays included in this project, go to <www.beckettonfilm.com>. Summary: Highly recommended especially for students of literature, and those who love Beckett enough to watch this entire project. ...

sottovoce82 16.05.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Beckett On Film (DVD)

A Force To Be Reckoned With

Advantages: Very entertaining view of a period of history
Disadvantages: ...although its not very factual

...exploring issues issues that Queen Elizabeth faced during her life. The film starts by demonstrating that there is religious and political turmoil between the Catholics and the Protestants in England. Such a powerful turmoil, that it dominants almost every decision that people make. The film illustrates this throughout the film but it is most obvious when it shows the division of the royal family, when Queen Mary asks Elizabeth (her successor) to ...
...England. In a tactical move, Elizabeth says, she will follow as her conscience guides her. In addition to the political religious turmoil, highlighted is the role of women in society as second class citizens. This is ironic as the monarch is the most powerful being in the country. The division between womens roles is particularly highlighted when her advising counsil keep on pressurising her to marry inorder to produce a heir to secure the throne. ...

silvajade 16.04.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Elizabeth (DVD)

A modern tragedy

Advantages: Stephen Fry's performance
Disadvantages: Not completely accurate

...his life. The story is familiar by now - Oscar becomes one of the most popular playwrights and wits of his age, only to shoot himself down at the height of his fame due to his relationship with the horrible Alfred Lord Douglas, for which he finds himself sentenced to two years' hard labour. The film goes to some pains to be historically accurate (it even gets right the almost illegible message that Lord Queensberry pinned to the theatre door which ...
...providing a happy reunion of the two lovers upon Wilde's final release. In fact Wilde didn't get a happy ending, because he never did the one thing that would always have turned his fortunes up, even after his sentence: ditch Douglas. The film is a largely accurate and involving portrait of one of the most mistreated literary figures in history, but I can't help suspecting that it would have been far less of a success with anyone else in the title ...

NeilHudson 24.09.2001 · Read full review
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Review of The Oscar Wilde Collection (DVD)

SHINE lives up to its name

Advantages: Great acting, and a strong character story, Wonderful music
Disadvantages: Controversy as to the accurate portrayal of David's father

...pretty impressive credentials. But did SHINE live up to the hype? To begin with on a superficial level, SHINE, is unfairly perceived to fall into the 'classical arts film'' category, as the story basically concerns itself with a young, gifted Australian classical pianist, David Helfgott, The fact that classical music features abundantly in this film may unfortunately put off many younger viewers who prefer to watch films featuring pop culture, when ...
...finds marriage.to an admirer. SHINE isn't all deadly serious stuff.There are some wonderful humorous quotes scattered throughout the film. For example, when Isaac Stern offers the American scholarship to David who looks puzzled when he tells him it's in America, Stern adds "America. You know, land of the free, home of the brave. You know, Mickey Mouse." And there are other equally amusing lines and incidents. SHINE is controversial as to how accurately ...

RippedoffPete 01.08.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Shine (DVD)

Race for glory

Advantages: Emotional and engrossing story
Disadvantages: none

Chariots of Fire is based on a true story about two British athletes for glory in the 100 metres race, at the 1924 Olympic Games, in Paris. Hugh Hudson directs a multi-Oscar winning film The two athletes which the film focuses on are, Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), an Englishman who is Jewish and has to face prejudice over his religion and Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), a Scottish man who is very religious and wants to become a missionary. Both men ...
...This is a poignant and touching story made even more uplifting by the fact that it is based on a true story. Although you know the outcome of the races, you can’t help but be exited watching the story unfold, thanks to the stunning direction and acting. Ben Cross and Ian Charleson are brilliant as the determined athletes out for glory. The supporting cast features some great performances from such names as Nigel Havers, Ian Holm and John Gielgud. ...

mozzie76 15.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Chariots Of Fire (DVD)